10 Best Exercise Machines and Gadgets

Don't wait for your New Year's resolution - invest in fitness gear now and enjoy holiday sales and a larger selection before the January rush. Plus, you'll be better equipped to battle holiday stress with a quick sweat session!

We've compiled a list of the best exercise equipment on the market, from commercial-grade cardio machines to smart gear and athletic accessories. Make an investment in your own health, or treat the fitness fiend on your list to some top-rated gear.

Schwinn 470 Elliptical Machine

The Schwinn 470 is a strong pick if you're looking for the unintimidating full-body cardiovascular workout for which ellipticals are lauded.

Reviewers appreciate the way it incorporates professional ergonomics and handling into a machine that is sized - and priced - for the home user. It has a smooth, quiet operation, a sleek look and a stable footprint, without being excessively bulky.

It doesn't skimp on the bells and whistles, either. Use the LCD screen to pick one of 10 resistance levels or 29 workout programs. The incorporated fan and USB charging dock help keep your workouts enjoyable.

Its manageable size makes it great for a variety of exercises, while its pattern of bumps and ridges provide additional grip, a massage-like sensation, and precisely delivered pressure. The unique color pattern makes it stand out from a sea of similar cylinders.

Made from professional-grade materials, this is one of few rollers on the market with a lifetime warranty.

Inversion tables work wonders on the spine, especially for those with compression-related pain. This offering from Kettler is praised for its solid construction - an absolute must for a device that turns you upside down!

The Apollo has seven fixed positions, an adjustable footplate, and dual handlebars, so it is accessible and comfortable for anyone under its 250-pound weight capacity.

Use it for simple inversions, or gentle stretching and strengthening exercises.

Compared to other ab rollers at higher prices, this model simply looks and performs better.

Its angled rubber/silicone grips make it feel good in your hands, and its wide tire roller is sturdier, with less slip, than its competitors. The tire contains a coiled steel mechanism that subtly provides additional resistance on the way out and maintains a controlled contraction on the way in.

We also appreciate its avoidance of the flashy branding and unattractive plastic casing common on fitness gear.